Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew fears he could lose some of his top players to the likes of Manchester United and City this summer but admits he is doing everything he can to avoid it – including trying to buy out Demba Ba’s contract release clause.

During the January transfer window, several reports suggested Ba has a release clause that will force the Magpies to sell him for somewhere between £5million and £7million, if a club he is interested in joining makes an offer.

And Pardew – who is also certain to find other star players like Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa linked to every other club in the top six – has admitted a clause exists, but is hopeful it can be removed before the transfer window opens.

‘Demba’s release clause has been widely publicised – there is some truth to it, and some untruth,’ Pardew revealed.

‘There is a clause there. There is a situation with his contract and we are in talks with him and his agent.

‘It is not a foregone conclusion that he will stay, but the Newcastle public have played their part singing his name. He must love that.’

Finders keepers: Alan Pardew is hopeful his top players show him some loyalty (Picture: Reuters)

Pardew was awarded the manager of the season award earlier this week for guiding the Magpies to within sight of the Champions League spots – despite most pundits tipping them for little better than a season of consolidation in lower mid-table.

But, even though his players could seal a top-four place after Sunday’s final round of Premier League fixtures, Pardew is still unsure if he can maintain his squad to follow up on this season’s success.

He told BBC Newcastle: ‘It’s impossible to restrict Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City from coming in for one of our players.

‘We have players who are not on the salaries these top clubs can offer.’

Demba Ba signed for Newcastle after handing in a transfer request at relegated West Ham at the end of last season and has become one of the top flight’s most feared marksmen since, with 16 goals in 33 league games.